Garden life

Comma

Rhododendron Leafhopper - meet Garden Spider

'orrible looking thing

Slightly more pleasant-looking fly

Owl and a friend

All the squirrels' Christmases have come at once

Honeysuckle bearing fruit, but who's going to eat it?

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Little 'un

Some shots with the Canon Powershot A640, mostly as the sun was starting to set. Nice light, though

Cranesbill

Honeysuckle

Bumblebee: 'Pollen, give me more pollen!'

photos taken with Canon Powershot A640

Big 'un

First, some shots with the big camera

Bees can't get enough of Cranesbill

Spotted Flycatcher in next-door's garden. Closer inspection has revealed this bird is collecting insects, presumably for a brood of chicks somewhere...

Flowers at The Lodge

Red-eyed Damselfly

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Hayley Wood

Today I did something I'd been meaning to for a long time: I went to Hayley Wood. It's not far from where I live and I've been reading Oliver Rackham's book about it, titled Hayley Wood: Its History and Ecology.

Apparently, Hayley Wood might be a remnant of the prehistoric wildwood which covered much of this area, and its history can be traced through old documents showing how important it was for local villagers - for fuel and building materials, and also for pannage (that's browsing pigs).

I also thought it might be interesting to check out whether there were any of the typical ancient woodland bird species. The Wildlife Trust website mentions Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Lesser Redpoll. Of course, I drew a blank there, I didn't even see a Marsh Tit, and it was too early for flowers, too. It was hard work for not much, to be honest, but perhaps if I got back in a few weeks, I'll be impressed. Must swot up on my flowers and trees...







photos taken with Canon Powershot A640

Garden stuff

Honeysuckle berries

Common Darter

bees

Snail on my runner beans!

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM